"Like a shepherd He will tend His flock. In His arm He will gather the lambs; And carry them in His bosom" Isaiah 40:11 I find it completely awesome that in this world, I am totally someones. Someone to love me, cherish me, discipline me (in love), someone who will never, ever, ever, leave me. Someone who calls me His very own.

Saturday, January 14, 2017

"Trusting Our ABBA" - 01/14/17 - Genesis 41-42

"Joseph answered, “Not I, but God." (41:16)

Joseph is such an example of being Christlike - for every recorded action towards him, he reacted in a kind way.

Even to God.

He had such an air of trusting God about him, I wonder if there was ever a point in his life when he became angry and shook his fist at God?

After sharing his first dream to his family, and they got angry, he then shared the second dream he had. I think I would have kept my mouth shut after the first one. He is in a high position under Potiphar and then after being chased by Potiphar's wife, she accuses him of trying to rape her. Scripture doesn't record if he tried to defend himself, or if he was allowed to. Regardless, he ended up in jail. He is then made in charge of the prison by the head jailer.

Even in low places, God put Joseph in a position of authority.

And finally after two years, he was brought before Pharaoh.

There had to be something about Joseph that stood out and caused Pharaoh to entrust Joseph (a foreigner) with the power he gave him. Joseph was second in command. He came right after Pharaoh in the ranks. I wonder if Potiphar was a little concerned? After all, he was one of Pharaoh’s officials and the manager of his household. Did Potiphar's wife have fear running through her veins? They all had to have realized there was something different about Joseph.

Different in how he allowed God to shine through him and gave God all the glory.

Because of how Joseph forgave his brothers, I am able to think Joseph probably forgave Potiphar and his wife. Along with being a person of integrity and loving, he was humble. He gave God The Glory for his abilities. He wasn't concerned about a pat on the back. I don't know what the proper procedure was for the speaking of different ranks, etc., but the head jailer had to have some connections. Did Joseph ever try to get out for good behavior? for knowing the dreams of the cup bearer/baker? Was he waiting on God's time?

So much to glean from Joseph.

How many moments do we grow angry and shake our fist, when things don't go our way or life is unfair? How many times do we get wrapped up in patting ourselves on the back, or having others praise us? Not giving The Glory to Him?

Joseph never took his focus off of God. No matter where he was or the situation he was in. Always - God came first.

He had the opportunity to brag on himself, he could have held on to anger and bitterness, after two years of sitting in prison. And in reply to Pharaoh trying to give him the glory - he replied,

“Not I, but God.""Then Pharaoh gave Joseph an Egyptian name, Zaphenath-Paneah (God Speaks and He Lives)." (41:45) Because of who Joseph was and the way he lived, Pharaoh's given name for Joseph represented what he saw - "God speaks and is alive".

What do people see when looking at us? Do we live for Him and never lose focus of His face? Do we make the most of all situations in trust and faith? Do we give God The Glory? "Joseph had two sons born to him before the years of famine came. Asenath, daughter of Potiphera the priest of On, was their mother. Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh (Forget), saying, “God made me forget all my hardships and my parental home.” He named his second son Ephraim (Double Prosperity), saying, “God has prospered me in the land of my sorrow.” (41:50-52)

He gave God The Glory in the name of his first son. He was able to forget and move on. In the name of the second son, he gives thanks. There, even in the land of his sorrow - God prospered him.

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Jennifer Dukes Lee

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About Me

My passion is to lead people to be into His Word every day. It is the essential key to being in an "intimate relationship" with Him, and give us the tools needed to get through this life! He led me to begin a FB group, "Blog Through the Word" and each day I post a set of verses as we read through His Word in a year. Then (I hope!) we each blog about how God spoke to us through them. This not only brings an awareness to a verse we may just "skim" over, but when He gives someone the same verse that is really cool.
Even though we don't always blog daily, I am praying that we are all in His Word each and every day. If you are on Facebook please let me count you in!
May He lead you to join us on this journey.